Written answers

Tuesday, 14 February 2017

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Children in Care

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

705. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total number of children currently in residential or foster care; the extent to which adequate resources remain available to meet the demand in both circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7445/17]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The latest figures from Tusla, indicates that, at the end of November 2016, there were 6,276 children in care. Of these, 5,839 (93%) were in foster care, either with relatives or a general foster care placement and 325 (5%) were in a residential placement. All of the children in residential care had an allocated social worker and 94% of all children in Foster care had an allocated social worker.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a statutory duty under the Child Care Act 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection and, if necessary, to receive a child into the care of the State. The placement of children in care is governed by Regulations. These provide, inter alia, for the welfare of the child, the care practices, care records, accommodation and safety precautions. Tusla has an active procurement policy and keeps its requirements under review and commissions foster and residential services as required. This ensures that Tusla can access specialist services to meet the emotional and mental health needs of children in care.

Tusla is currently implementing a three-year development plan which includes provision for extra staffing to meet critical service concerns such as addressing children with no allocated social worker. The Government has provided significant additional resources to Tusla, and the Agency have been instructed to expedite the recruitment of staff to address such capacity concerns. During 2016, Tusla has been active in developing its capacity to recruit and retain staff across its multi-disciplinary organisation and this will continue throughout 2017 with a particular focus on areas of highest need. The additional funding of €37 million which has been secured for Tusla in 2017 will provide increased resources to meet identified risks and service demands.

The Health Information & Equality Authority (HIQA) inspects all Tusla run children's residential centres and foster care services, and publishes its findings on www.hiqa.ie.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.